Quotes Library

April 25, 2025

Government…is simply not the channel through which men’s noblest impulses are to be realized. Its task, on the contrary, is largely to see to it that the ignoble ones are kept under restraint and not permitted to go too far.

George Kennan (1904–2005), American diplomat, historian. Around the Cragged Hill (1993), Jay p.203

Did you come to elective office to do good, or to do well? Have you sacrificed the former in the interest of the latter? Do you think Kennan read The Federalist as a student?

If you want to pursue a noble human impulse, join the NGO of your choice. *non-government organization.


More Quotes

November 24, 2025
America is still a government of the naïve, by the naïve, and for the naïve.
December 6, 2025
Everyone is always in favour of general economy and particular expenditure.
November 20, 2025
Something unpleasant is coming when men are anxious to tell the truth.
Page 60 of 123